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What To Know About Lip Augmentation: Overview, Type & Risks

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Lip Augmentation can also be called lip enhancement. A beauty procedure, it is the amplification and formation of a different shape of the natural lips. This is to increase its amplitude and beautify the patient’s facial features and structure.

Lip augmentation is a cosmetic process of adding or improving the shape and fullness of the lips. This is to make it more attractive and artistic. For the past decade now, full lips have always been categorized as sensual and ideal. Lip augmentation with the help of dermal fillers or implants plump the lips. It enhances the look of the entire face. If your lips have thinned from aging or you have naturally thin lips, then you are a candidate for lip augmentation.

The lips are a huge part of your appearance. Recently, a study was conducted to find out the best lip measurement for women. This was done using focus groups to assess facial representations. The proportions of the face were used as a basis for the experiment.

Lip augmentation is an umbrella for a lot of cosmetic processes. Lip augmentation ranges from temporary injectable fillers to permanent techniques. If you opt for permanent means of lip enlargement, then you may need surgeries.

There are various types of fillers and lip injections that are suitable for different kinds of lips. Three significant ways lip enhancement can improve facial appearances are:

● Structure: The way the lips are formed.

● Shape: The way the lip contours. Majorly the upper lip’s cupid bow

● Volume: The ampleness of the lips.

Forms of lip enhancement

Permanent lip enhancements: These procedures take longer and offer more details. The results are lasting.Injectable dermal fillers are presently very popular as a form of lip enhancement. It is prevalent in places like Europe, North America, South America, and Australia. These dermal fillers have wide applications. They can be used to fill out wrinkles or add volume to the face. It can also be used to plump up several parts of the face, including the lips.

An extensive range of volumizers is also available. This is because not every filler is suitable for every person or condition.

Different type of lip fillers

Fat injection or lip injection

One of the most durable and natural lip filling process is to make use of one’s fat. Fat injections describe a process where a medical aesthetician takes fat from your body, cleanses it and injects it into your lips.

Fat is extracted from the parts of the body that have an excess of it. This is done using a mini-liposuction method. The fat must be taken with caution so as preserve the living fat cells. The extracted fat cells will be washed and purified carefully before they are injected into your lips to provide you with full, proportioned lips.

The advantages of lip-injections or fat injections are countless. It is very natural as it is your fat that is being used in the process. The injected lip will feel very normal. It also lasts for many years. It lasts longer than any other lip fillers that are currently in use.

Due to the way the fat transfer has to heal, you may need more than one injection. You may need a second injection to attain the desired look. Lastly, it is a two way process as fat has to be removed from one part of the body before being transplanted to another.

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All in all, fat injections are a great way to improve the lips and other parts of the face. Parts like:

● Cheeks

● Temples

● Hollows under the eyes

● Breasts

● Buttocks.

A successful fat injection is dependent on the expertise of the cosmetic injector. There is a likelihood of losing fat if the cosmetic injector does not perform the process cautiously. Also if you do not follow the post-treatment care directions, then you may not get the desired results.

How long do HA lip fillers last?

The factors that influence the result of the fillers varies. Firstly, the way the fillers fill out the face and how long this lip filler lasts depends on each patient. It is also dependent on the location of the injection. The distinctive properties of the hyaluronic acid filler is also a factor. Age of the patients and personalized characteristics of the patient’s skin are all determinants of how long the lip fillers will last.

Well, the aftermath of hyaluronic acid injections can last for up to six months to a year. After that stipulated time, more doses will be necessary to continue to keep the desired volume.

Factors to consider before injecting hyaluronic acid

First and foremost, you need to see a medical aesthetician that will inspect and examine your medical history. The condition that you want to treat also has to be examined. You need to keep your hygiene topnotch as areas to be injected need to be free from infections.

If you have are any infections, treatment should be postponed until recovery. Patients who use drugs-blood thinners, aspirin, ibuprofen, and other herbal medication should stop before the procedure. Patients should stop the intake of such drugs at least two weeks before the day of injection with proper advice from the prescribing doctor.

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Advantages of hyaluronic acid fillers

The benefits of HA fillers include:

● You can control the volume of the lip

● You can take a gradual pace in increasing the volume of your lip

● It has little chances of bruising in comparison to other types of lip fillers

● Lumps and clumps can be dissolved

● Less likely to cause allergies since they are taken from the body

● It is not gotten from animals, unlike some forms of collagen

Where can hyaluronic acid be injected?

HA dermal fillers have been frequently used to treat:

● Loss of mass on the back of hands

● Wrinkles

● Nasolabial folds

● Marionette lines

● Thin lips

● Fine lines around the mouth

● Beneath the eyes

● Cheek augmentation

● Earlobes

Who shouldn’t get hyaluronic acid injections?

HA is not for people who have;

● Facial or oral herpes infection

● Infection in the supposed treatment area.

● Unrestrained diabetes

● Blood-clotting issues.

● Allergies to any of the components of HA.

● Patients that are pregnant or lactating.

● HA should be used with extra care in patients who have current immunosuppressive therapy.

Do injectablehyaluronic acid fillers hurt?
The pain associated with the procedure is minimal. However, to ease your pain during the injection process, topical numbing agents or anesthetic injections can be used. Ice may also be used to reduce discomfort. Either before or after treatment, it can be used for comfort purposes.

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Possible side effects of injectablehyaluronic acid

The most frequently seen side effects are:

● Bruises

● Swells

● Bleeding

● Lumps

● Skin redness.

Side effects that are rare include:

● Insensitivity

● Allergic reactions

● Blisters and cysts

● Inflammatory reaction

● Shift of fillers

● Discoloration

● Scars

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Lip Collagen injection

Another well known dermal filler that can also be categorized as a lip filler is a natural protein called collagen. Collagen is used to clear wrinkles and lines around the mouth and forehead. It can also be used to achieve plump full lips.

You have manifold layers of skin. The first layer is known as the epidermis. The second layer is called the dermis. The dermis is majorly made up of a protein called collagen. Collagen is a dominant support structure in the skin. It helps in the growth of cells and blood vessels.

This natural protein is usually used by plastic surgeons to reduce the side effects of old age. It is also used as a lip filler and to enhance the structure of the face. They were the first kind of dermal fillers to be used for aesthetic purposes.

Collagen lip injections are the most widely used to enhance beauty. When it is injected into the skin, the structure rebuilds. The skin starts to contour; the support structure will be repaired and revived, causing the fullness and contour of the lips.

How long do collagen lip injections last?

The results of collagen injection as lip fillers can last for three months. After three months, they may need to be injected again. Collagen fillers can be gotten from human skin or animal skin. It can be obtained from cows(bovine) or pigs(porcine).

Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

Platelet-rich plasma injections can be used to augment and enhance the size and shape of the lips. In this process, the patient’s blood is collected, treated and then injected in the desired location on the face. This process is also known as the “vampire lift.” This type of lip filler lasts for about 12 -18 months. PRP Therapy is not widely used.

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Permanent lip augmentation processes

If you are looking to have more permanent lip fillers, you may opt for a surgical lip enhancement process. Permanent lip enhancement procedures include:

1. Dermal Graft
It is a minimally, intrusive surgical procedure. Dermal grafts involve the medical aesthetician taking skin and tissue from a part of your body. This part of the body could be the inner part of your thigh. After deliberate treatment, this tissue is used instead of synthetic lip fillers to augment the lips. This procedure is more advantageous because there is no risk of allergies or fear of rejection. The results are also long-lasting and require little to no maintenance.

2. Permanent lip implants
If the case of thin lips is severe, lip implants are applicable. It is quite safe, and it increases the bulk of the lips. Once the implant has been deposited in the lips, it is there forever. Lip implants do not require repeat procedures. The implants may be noticeable, but it does not stop any activities be it eating, drinking or kissing.
Many patients later get used to the implants after recovery. Permanent lip implants have several drawbacks including:

● They may need to be adjusted, replaced or removed entirely later in the future.

● Sometimes, implants may get dislodged.

● Sometimes, implants may get uneven or disproportional

3.Vermilion lip advancement
Vermilion is the part of the lip that has a reddish or pinkish color. The vermilion border is the separation between the red colored lip and the adjoining healthy skin. If your lips are thin, they lack altitude. If you have this condition, you may be advised to do a lip vermilion advancement.

This procedure involves the surgeon making an incision along the border of the lip and then raising the pink lip over the white lip. This procedure is not painful, but there’ll be a scar along the edge of the lip. Not to worry, the scar always heals neatly.

4. Lip Lift
There are two different types of lip lift; the corner lift and the upper lip lift. The top lip lift has received more usage when compared to the corner lip lift. The essence of these lifts is to give the patient a youthful and natural smile.

The upper lip lift makes the distance between the upper lip and the base of the nose short. That increases the amount of ‘pink lip’ that is evident. This causes more exposure for the top teeth and creates the illusion of fuller and youthful lips. On the other hand, the corner lip lift raises the edges of the mouth. This process is for you if you think that you have a permanent frown. Both of these lip surgeries have scars that will heal neatly.

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Do lip fillers hurt?

The answer is no. Usually, anesthesia is used to numb your skin.Once you’re numb, you will only feel a prickle and a little pressure. Once the filler is injected, you may feel a dull throbbing, but it shouldn’t be too painful since you’re numbed up.

Most certainly, your lips will swell after the injection. The day following the procedure is usually when you have the most swelling. Typically, this should go down a little bit each day. After four to five days, it should go down considerably.

Risks involved with lip fillers

However beautiful those new full lips are, there are negative sides to increasing the size of the mouth. When you enlarge the lips time after time, making them as large as possible, the filler can become a tissue expander. This expands your skin and causes your lips to sag. It may also cause your lips to collapse if the filler later degenerates. The simple solution to this risk is to follow the explicit instructions of a professional medical aesthetician. They will be able to help you avoid these unwanted scenarios.

Another significant risk for lip filler injection is necrosis. This is a situation where the filler gets injected into a blood vessel and causes tissue death. Although this situation happens rarely, it can still happen. Therefore, the essence of going to a professional for the treatment cannot be overemphasized.

Sometimes, skin discoloration may occur. A bluish discoloration known as the Tyndall Effect can surface after your procedure. The change in color may last for months if left unchecked. However, there is a treatment for this complication. Luckily, most of the side effects of lip injections last only a short while.

How to reduce the risks of using lip fillers

You should not be swayed by price when selecting a cosmetic care provider for your procedure. Find the best qualified cosmetic injector for the job. You don’t want to jeopardize your health or beauty to save a few dollars. If you compromise because of lower costs, the quality of the products being used or the expertise of the doctor might be below standards.

To adequately avoid risks, make sure you go to a board certified cosmetic injector or medical aesthetician. Lip augmentation or enhancement with dermal fillers should be carefully done. Only have the process done in an accredited medical environment, with sterile equipment and the best professionals. Also, don’t forget to use sunscreen to protect your new beautiful fillers.